Inclosed electric switch



D T. WADSWORTH INCLOSED ELECTRIC SWITCH Jan. 6, 1931.

2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 17, 1928 I N VEN TOR. QMIJMM ATTORNEYS Jan. 6,1931.

D. T. WADSYVORTH INGLOSED ELECTRIC SWITCH Filed March 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet [III/[III]! 1111/ III/III] I III! 11111111111111 l l I I ill] I I III/111! II III III] II 11/! I II INVENTOR.

A TTORNEYS,

Patented Jan. 6, 1931' p UNITED STAT as PATENT OFFICE DAVID T. WADSWOR'IH, or cornsrames, KENTUCKY, assrenoa TO THE wanswonrn ELECTRIC, MANUFACTURINGOOMPANY, or COVINGTON, KENTUCKY, A comman- TIQN oF'xENTUcKY, j; I

INCLOSED ELECTRIGSWITCH i timation fiIed'March 17, 1928. Serial 262,419.

In my co-pending applicationfSerialNo.

732,272, filed August 15, 1924, I have disclosed a switch and fuse box having a rock ing arm which may be manually moved from outside the box. 1 The box has a switch in one part of the box and fuses in a separate compartment in another. A lid is provided for the fuse compartment which may be opened only when the rocking arm is in off position. Thus, it is impossible fora person to be shocked while replacing a fuse for the lid to the fuse compartment cannot be opened unless the switch is off. Further, the switch cannot be closed when the cover for the fuse compartment is open.

It is the object of my invention, as will be hereinafter disclosed, to provide, particularly in combination with this type of box, forv a locking member which will effectively prevent theft of current when the main cover to the box is locked. Since the switch is operable by a rocking arm exteriorly ofthe box,

the novel locking device must look this arm so that it cannot be jammed closed. Another object is the provision of a locking device a which may be readily moved into locking position. A still further object is the incorporatiotn in one integral member for a movable part which will serve the double function of preventingaccess to the fuse box when the switch is in on position and of permanently locking the actuating handle for the switch, when the box is locked to prevent theft of current. I v

The above and other objects to which reference will be made in the ensuing disclosure I accomplish by that certain combination and arrangement of parts of which I have shown a preferred embodiment.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a plan'view of the switch and fuse box with the main cover open.

Figure 2 is a sectional view of the box taken along the lines 22 in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a sectional view of the box taken along the lines 3-3 in Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a similarly taken sectional view 1 I with the locking member in position to block the movement of the operating handle Figure 5 is a perspective View of the'block ing and locking member. 7

I The switch box consists of a metal-case 1 having ahinged lid 2. Th ebox has a plate 3 attached to it'which has a hole 4 which registers with the hole 5 in a latch member 6 whichis pivoted to the'outer side-of the cover. When the cover or lid is closed on the case the extension or plate 3 extends through a slot? in the cover. The fuse compartment is in 7 dicated at 8 and a lid 9 is mounted slidably on the cover in channel strips 10 so that the lid may be moved toclose the fuse compartment unless otherwise blocked.

' The switch is mounted on a porcelain block 11 and operates in the obvious manner. A bail 12 extends across within the case, being pivotally mounted in thesides of the case as indicated at 131 Thebail engages a switch contact n1ember 14which is pivot-ally mounts ed as indicated at 14a. 7

None ofthe sturcture described hereinbew;

foreforms any part of my invention as the subject matter of the switch box combination is described in my co-pending application:

' One of'the side walls of the case has chanhole 15 which slidably retain the blocking and locking member generally indicated at 16. This member has flanged edges 17 which are retained within the channels 15; At the top of the member there is a projection 18 which, when the bail is in the lowered position, as indicated in Figure '1,"will abut the'end of the cover-9 and prevent access to the fuse compartment; In Figure 3 the bandle withwhich the switch is turned is shown inthe position in which the switch is open.

In this position the bail is intlie upper end of the slot 19 so that the ledge 18 of the slid the fuse compartment will be locked shut, the switch will be off, and if a padlock is inserted within the aligned holes 4 and 5 the whole box will be so locked that it will be impossible for an unauthorized person to steal current;

It is of importance that the sliding member should serve a double function of locking both the bail and fuse compartment cover, for otherwise an unauthorizedperson might tamper with the fuse compartment when the b x was locked, as for example, when the tenant of 'a house moved out and the company providing electricity did not wish to remove the fuse box, as a new tenant was expected shortly.

hilodifications in the particular construction which I have disclosed will readily occur to those skilledin theart, but insofar as others utilize theprinciple of" my device with no more than mechanical modifications, I consider that such modifications will be within the scope ofmyinvention.v

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is I 1. In an electric switch and fuse box, having a switch, a rocking brail'for actuating said switch, with a handle for said bail extending outside the box, and a fuse compartment with a cover therefor, means controlled by the operation of the bail for blocking the opening of said cover, said means further providing means, for blocking the movement of said bail and for locking the bail in a second selected position.

2. In a switch and fuse box having a switch, a fuse compartment with means to provide access thereto, and means for opening and closing the switch therein, means for inhibiting the operation of said first mentioned means controlled by the movement of said second mentioned means, said last named means further providing means for blocking the operation of said second mentioned means and for locking the bail in a second selected position.

3. In a switch and fuse box having a switch, a fuse compartment with a closing lid therefor, and a bail movable from outside the box for opening and closing the switch, means controlled by the position of said bail for blocking the closing lid, said means having a position of movement in which said bail will also be blocked and for locking the bail in a second selected position.

f. In a switch and fuse box having a switch, a fuse compartment with a closing lid therefor, and a bail movable from outside the box for opening and closing the switch, means controlled by the position of said bail for blocking the closing lid, said means having a position of movement in which said bail will also be blocked, said means comprising an integral member having-a curved slot therein with a slot which allows the bail to be removed from said slot, said member having a notch therein in which said bail may be engaged.

5. In a switch and fuse box having a fu e compartment with a closing lid therefor, and a switch with a bail movable from outside the box for closing the switch, means for block ing both the lid and bail comprising a slotted member slidably mounted within said box.

6. Anelectric switch and fuse box comprising a switch, a member for operatingthe switch comprising a rocking part controlled fron'r outside the box, said box having an opening and aclosing lid therefor, a slide in the box, means for slidably mounting the slide, said-slide beingformed and'located so asto block-the openin of said lid whensaid slide is. in selected; osition, means on the slide detachably engagingthe.rocking part but normally,allow ng rock ng. movement thereof, said slide being, further provided with means for blocklng the movement of said rocking part DAVID T. WADSWORTH. 

